Army coup is impossible in India: Antony

“I have full faith in the military forces. There isn’t even the remotest chance of a military coup in the country,” Antony said.

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KOCHI: Categorically denying the possibility of a military coup in India, defence minister A K Antony said on Sunday he had full faith in the armed forces and assured they would follow instructions given by the civilian government in policy matters.

"I have been in constant touch not only with top officials in the army, navy and air force but also with the jawans and those guarding our borders," Antony said after presenting awards to coast guard personnel at a ceremony. "I have full faith in the military forces. There isn't even the remotest chance of a military coup in the country."

Antony was replying to a query on the fresh controversy that erupted on the movement of two army units near Delhi two years ago with then DGMO lieutenant general A K Choudhary recently saying there may have been "distrust" between the army and the Centre on the issue.

"The incident that happened in July 2012 was just a training exercise. It is a closed chapter," Antony said. All policy issues, he said, were decided by the government. "The Indian military has a track record of following such government policies verbatim," he said.